Make Your CV Stand Out

The most important document you will send to a potential employer is your CV. This is the first contact you will make between yourself and an employer, it’s your foot in the door and it needs to be good, very good, if it is to secure you that all important interview.

You wouldn’t dream of attending an interview for your dream job without ensuring you are immaculately attired and well briefed. The same professionalism should be applied to your CV. Your CV needs to impress without sounding boastful or smug.

Employers are looking for a clear, well laid out CV that lists your skills and accomplishments succulently. An employer will make a judgement on whether to invite you to an interview or not, based on the content of your CV and its appearance.

With possibly reams of CVs to look at an employer will not spend too much time scanning them so you need to make an impact fast.

The first thing an employer will notice is the quality of the paper. Make sure you use good quality paper. Do not even think about sending a CV on copier paper unless you are not serious about the job.

CVs on copier paper usually go straight into the bin. If you can’t be bothered investing in some decent paper why should an employer be bothered to read your CV. Quality paper is crucial.

It may seem obvious but always type your Cv. Use a good clear font, nothing fancy. An employer wants to read about your skills and experience fast. A CV is not the place to display your wonderful personality on, that’s for the interview.

Two pages should be the maximum, even better if you can get it down to one, employers don’t have time to read a ten page autobiography, believe me they won’t bother after the second page.

There’s no need to write Curriculum Vitae in great bold super sized font on the top. Employers know what it is they’re reading, if they don’t they shouldn’t be reading it.

Stick to the facts, as I’ve already mentioned, a CV is not the place to display your personality on, it could prove costly if you try. Don’t make any boastful statements about how you can become the next Bill Gates if only they would give you a chance.

When mentioning your past jobs, concentrate on your achievements. For example, you may have led a sales team and increased sales by 25% or managed a production unit and increased productivity by 21% and lowered costs by 12%. Be specific with the numbers.

They look good and employers can relate to them.When mentioning your interests employers are looking for some sporting competitiveness mixed with the ability to focus and concentrate. Something that shows you have the strength of character not to buckle when the going gets tough and the pressure is on.

If you’re a great reader and a competitive cyclist you’ve covered all the angles. Be careful here, some applicants are known to pretend they are interested in certain things just to sound good. Don’t say your hobby is free-falling from 20000 feet if you get dizzy on the third rung of a ladder.

Remember the people who are interviewing you have had days to prepare their questions, and who knows, they may be free falling from 20000 feet enthusiasts. Get caught telling a porky and it’s over. Thank you very much, we’ll be in touch.

Get good referees. Discus with them if they would vouch for you and if they would mind if you put their phone number on your CV. Employers will be more likely to look favourably on a CV with referees who they can phone. It makes life easier for them.

Get your CV out there. Send it to the leading recruitment agencies in the field you are looking to work in. Your CV is an important document; take your time writing it. Do not try to knock it up in an hour on some copier paper.

If you do not feel confident about writing it yourself pay for a professional CV doing. If you have just finished a degree and spent, a few thousand in student fees do not let another hundred stand in your way of securing a job.

Look at the bigger picture, if you can increase your chances of securing a job by employing a professional, the cost will be recouped within a few days. Take your CV serious, it’s the first impression employers have of you.
Your CV is one of the most important documents you will ever write. The time you spend doing it is an investment in your future. Make sure you do it right.